San Marino nationality law
| San Marino Citizenship Act | |
|---|---|
| Grand and General Council | |
| |
| Enacted by | Government of San Marino |
| Status: Amended | |
San Marino nationality law is contained in the provisions of the Law on Citizenship (2000) which was amended in 2004, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2026 and in the relevant provisions of the San Marino Constitution. A person may be a citizen of San Marino through birth, descent or through naturalisation.
Acquisition of citizenship
At birth
Any child born within the territory of San Marino is automatically a citizen of San Marino if both parents were citizens of San Marino. In the case of only one parent being a citizen of San Marino, 12 months after the child turns 18, both of the parents must declare that the child wishes to choose the citizenship of the parent that is a citizen of San Marino.[1][2]
Citizenship by birth can also happen if:
- The parents of the child born in San Marino are stateless.
- The child is found abandoned where both parents are unknown.
By descent
Any child born outside of San Marino has a claim to citizenship if at least one of his/her parents are a citizen of San Marino.
The children of all San Marino citizens of 18 years of age, who permanently reside within the territory of San Marino for a minimum of 10 years, are eligible for citizenship.
By naturalisation
Anyone with a valid residence permit who has lived in San Marino for 20 years can apply for naturalisation through the Grand and General Council provided they:[3]
- Have never been convicted of a criminal offence in San Marino or abroad.
- Have never received a prison sentence of more than 1 year.
The period of residence is reduced to 10 years for spouses of Sammarinese citizens.[4]
Loss of citizenship
Voluntary
Voluntary renunciation of San Marino Citizenship is allowed under law provided it does not render the person stateless.
Involuntary
People who became citizens of San Marino through naturalisation may have their citizenship revoked if it was obtained by fraud, false representation or the concealment of any material fact.
Dual citizenship
San Marino previously required the renunciation of any previous citizenship to naturalise, but in 2026 the law was amended to fully legalize dual citizenship.[5]
Travel freedom of Sammarinese citizens
See also
References
- ^ "Answers of the Republic of San Marino to OHCHR's requests for information on discrimination against women in nationality-related matters" (PDF). OHCHR. 28 November 2012.
- ^ "Citizenship - Citizenship - Legislationline". Archived from the original on 21 June 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- ^ "San Marino Citizenship - Government".
- ^ LEGGE 2 AGOSTO 2019 n.121
- ^ Fabbri, Antonio (18 February 2026). "San Marino - Approvata la legge che elimina l'obbligo della rinuncia alla doppia cittadinanza". libertas (in Italian). Retrieved 25 February 2026.